News

Three die in horrific N3 crash in KwaZulu-Natal

todayJanuary 16, 2026 41

Background
share close

Three people died, two of whom were burned beyond recognition, in a collision between a bakkie and a truck on the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal on Friday morning.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma confirmed the accident occurred at about 9:10am.

“Just after 9:30am, I received a report from RTI of this accident involving a bakkie and a truck,” Duma said.

The accident took place on the eastbound N3 (Durban-bound) between the M13 bridge and the Shongweni off-ramp.

Duma said the bakkie was allegedly travelling westbound towards Pietermaritzburg when it lost control and collided head-on with a truck travelling towards Durban.

“According to the truck driver, the bakkie came flying from the opposite lane through the centre median and hit his truck just below the windscreen,” he said.

The bakkie was then carried by the momentum into concrete barriers, striking five construction workers from WBHO, who were at the site.

“The bakkie caught fire, and two of the occupants were burned beyond recognition. Somehow, one occupant was thrown from the vehicle,” Duma said.

Among the three occupants, two died inside the vehicle. The truck lost control while trying to avoid the bakkie and ended up in a ditch on the opposite side (Pietermaritzburg-bound), about 100 metres from the road.

The truck driver sustained only minor scratches.

Duma said, “It is unfortunate that this accident comes after we recorded a decrease in fatalities and accidents.”

He said the scene remains active, and the Durban-bound lane is closed for recovery and cleanup operations.

“We wish to express our deepest condolences to the families of the three victims of this horrific accident along the N3,” he said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.

Written by: IOL News

Rate it

Previous post

Entertainment

Rea Gopane on AI and creativity as his music finds streaming success

During a recent Spotify music session, I stumbled upon new music by Rea Gopane, which left me wondering whether this was the same Rea Gopane who made headlines a few years ago. To my surprise, it was him.The last time many people heard of the controversial podcaster was when he made news for allegedly turning to adult content platforms in an attempt to pay off his legal debt to award-winning […]

todayJanuary 16, 2026 227


Magic 828

Magic 828 AM is a South African commercial radio station playing the best of hits from the 80s, 90s and 2000’s

Download Our App

Don’t miss a track or memorable tune. Download the Magic828 App now on your mobile phone by clicking here!

0%